Friend charged with murder in botched kidnapping

BRIDGEPORT, Pa. (AP) ó A family friend charged with killing an infant and her grandmother told police he dropped the baby as the grandmother charged at him during a botched kidnapping.

A police affidavit says Raghunandan Yandamuri (rag-oo-NAHNí-dahn yahn-duh-MORí-ee) targeted the family for a $50,000 ransom plot because both parents had jobs. But no one ever contacted the couple after the grandmother was fatally stabbed and the girl went missing Monday.

Authorities say they found 10-month-old Saanvi Venna (SAHNí-vee VEHNí-ah) in a bloody white dress early Friday, hidden in a basement fitness room at the apartment complex where the suspect and victims lived.

The 26-year-old Yandamuri is being held without bail on murder, kidnapping and other charges.

He does not have a lawyer and did not enter a plea at his arraignment Friday.